Siim Plangi, one of the young and fast Estonians in rally scene who just turned 22 got a dream come true birthday present. He gets a chance to drive Peugeot 208 T16 R5 car in auto24 Rally Estonia, round of FIA ERC on 17-19th of July. The car comes from Peugeot Sport and will be run by Sainteloc. This project has a very positive influence on Estonian Autosport and it was born in cooperation between Peugeot Sport and Peugeot Baltic.

It was decided that one young and promising driver from Baltics will get a chance to drive new Peugeot 208 T16 R5 in auto24 Rally Estonia. Through this Plangi can show his speed against top drivers of FIA ERC series. This is a first time for Siim Plangi to drive R5 car, he has been showing good pace in Rally Liepaja in February, also a round of FIA ERC. Good results in Estonian championship with Group N car was also an aspect in this decision made by Peugeot Sport.

„For me the chance to drive Peugeot 208 T16 R5 in auto24 Rally Estonia is a dream come true in many ways. Couple of months ago I couldn’t even dream that I will start in my home event, which is the biggest rally in the Baltics, with R5 car. Therefore I would like to thank from the bottom of my heart Peugeot Baltic and Peugeot Sport for that opportunity to drive with one of the best R5 car.
Altough I haven’t even sat in this car before I can assure that we’re not going to just drive through the rally but we want to offer high competition to others,“ said Plangi.

Peugeot 208 T16 R5 succesful debut in FIA ERC series was in Rally Acropolis in March when Craig Breen won the rally. For Peugeot Baltic it is a very attractive project and they are hoping for a good result in auto24 Rally Estonia and also a big interest in Peugeot 208 T16 R5 car.

„It is our pleasure to give in cooperation with Peugeot Sport a chance to one Estonian driver to prove himself in high competition of FIA ERC. Also it is very important for us and for the rallyfans that we can bring this new and very competitive Peugeot 208 T16 R5 to the biggest autosport event in Baltics,“ explained Rasmus Tali, CEO of Peugeot Baltic.

FIA European Rally Championship is the longest running rally championship, celebrating 62 years in 2014. Starting from 2013, the promotor of the series is Eurosport Events who made a 10-year-agreement with the FIA.

In addition to being a part of ERC in 2014, auto24 Rally Estonia is also a round of FIA European Historic Sporting Rally Championship and Estonian Autorally Championship. auto24 Rally Estonia is held on 17-19th of July.